The Minnesota Timberwolves seized control of their Western Conference semifinal with a 114-109 win, erasing a Spurs lead and tying the series 2-2 after a pivotal moment: Victor Wembanyama’s second-quarter ejection for a flagrant foul on Naz Reid.
The narrative of the 2026 NBA Playoffs shifted dramatically in Minneapolis on Sunday night. For over 12 minutes, the San Antonio Spurs’ revolutionary rookie, Victor Wembanyama, was a non-factor, not by design but by disqualification. His ejection for a flagrant-2 foul on Naz Reid didn’t just remove a player; it removed the Spurs’ defensive anchor and offensive hub, creating a cascade of consequences the Minnesota Timberwolves exploited to even the series at two games apiece with a gritty 114-109 victory.
The play itself was a microcosm of Wembanyama’s immense physicality and the league’s heightened scrutiny of his actions. After grabbing a rebound, Wembanyama turned and delivered a right elbow that caught Reid in the chin. The initial foul was upgraded after review. Crew chief Zach Zarba cited the presence of “windup, impact and follow-through above the neck of an opponent,” the textbook definition of a flagrant-2 [Field Level Media]. Spurs coach Mitch Johnson later stated he was glad Wembanyama “took matters into his own hands” to protect himself, though he clarified, “I didn’t want him to elbow him,” and called the situation “disgusting” [Field Level Media]. The Spurs’ strategy and composure were visibly shaken.
The Edwards Ascension: A Fourth-Quarter Masterclass
With Wembanyama gone, the game became a referendum on the two teams’ next-best stars. For the Spurs, De’Aaron Fox (24 points) and Dylan Harper (24 points off the bench) fought valiantly. For the Timberwolves, it was Anthony Edwards‘ time. Edwards finished with 36 points, but the staggering stat is 16 of those came in the final frame. He wasn’t just scoring; he was dismantling the Spurs’ defense with a blend of explosive drives and clutch shooting.
Edwards’ burst began with a jumper and escalated with five consecutive points—a floater and a deep three—to cut a 10-point deficit to three. After two free throws brought Minnesota within two, his subsequent three-pointer, with 39 seconds left, gave the Wolves their first lead of the second half. This was the “small-time plays” he referenced post-game: the hustle, the offensive rebounds, and the calm execution under pressure that defines a superstar [Field Level Media]. His performance underscores why he is the engine of this Timberwolves team.
Spurs’ Resilience and Crunch-Time Failures
To their credit, the Spurs showed remarkable resilience. After Wembanyama’s ejection, they scored 20 of the first 28 points of the third quarter, building a 76-68 lead. Stephon Castle (20 points) and Devin Vassell (14 points) provided steady scoring. With 21.9 seconds left in the third, Keldon Johnson drove for a layup to give San Antonio an 84-80 advantage entering the fourth. They were in control, leading by as many as eight late in the game after a Fox three-pointer.
However, the final four minutes exposed their vulnerability without Wembanyama’s rim protection and gravity. The Wolves’ 14-5 run, ignited by Edwards, was a defensive stand as much as an offensive one. The Spurs’ three-point shooting (6-for-26) was a glaring issue, a stark contrast to Minnesota’s 10-of-27. When the game tightened, they lacked the singular, unstoppable force to answer Edwards’ barrage.
Why This Ejection Resonates Beyond One Game
This isn’t just about losing a 7-foot-4 phenom for 28 minutes. It’s about the psychological and strategic domino effect. Wembanyama’s presence dictates every offensive and defensive action. His absence allowed the Timberwolves to play with more freedom on the perimeter and attack the rim without fear of his erasure at the rim. Coach Chris Finch noted his team “lost our way a little bit” in the third, giving the Spurs life, but the foundation of the win was built on the adjustment period after the ejection [Field Level Media].
The series context is vital. As Finch pointedly reminded everyone, the Spurs already won a game in the first round against Portland without Wembanyama [Field Level Media]. That fact alone makes them dangerous. However, this Timberwolves team, led by an ascending Edwards and a veteran core including Rudy Gobert (11 points, 13 rebounds) and Julius Randle (12 points), is more equipped to handle such adversity. The series now shifts to San Antonio for Game 5, a must-win for the Spurs to regain home-court advantage, but they must do so with the specter of another volatile moment hanging over them.
The Fan Calculus: What-Ifs and Series Outlook
The fan discourse is now consumed by two questions. First, was the ejection justified? The “windup and follow-through” language from Zarba suggests a strict, textbook enforcement, which will fuel debate about star treatment and player safety. Second, and more critical for the series: can the Spurs win two consecutive games against this Wolves team with Wembanyama on the floor but potentially on a short leash? His discipline will be under a microscope.
For Minnesota, the path is clearer. They proved they can win a track meet against a high-powered offense and survive a physical, emotional battle. The integration of bench players like Ayo Dosunmu (10 points) and Naz Reid (15 points, 9 rebounds)—who absorbed the elbow—was pivotal. Their depth and poise in the closing minutes, as Finch highlighted, were the difference.
The series is now a best-of-three with the next two games in Texas. The outcome will hinge on whether the Spurs can replicate their third-quarter form for 48 minutes and whether Wembanyama can dominate without crossing the line. For the Timberwolves, the mission is to replicate the defensive intensity and fourth-quarter execution from Game 4, knowing the Spurs will be desperate and likely more disciplined.
This game was a stark reminder that in the playoffs, momentum can change on a single whistle. The Wolves weathered the storm of Wembanyama’s absence and their own third-quarter lapse to steal home-court advantage. The Spurs’ vaunted rookie now faces his first true test of composure and leadership on the biggest stage. The series, once seemingly tilted by San Antonio’s Game 3 win, is now a pressure-packed toss-up.
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